Your Guide to Seasonal Adventures in Brevard

Winter may be a time to hibernate for some, but in Brevard and Transylvania County, there’s too much to see and do outdoors for us to sit still. Our slice of mountain paradise offers an incredible escape for year-round adventurers. From hiking and stargazing to ice climbing and waterfall hunting, the outdoors offers an array of experiences in the wintertime.

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Winter Hiking

Many avid hikers agree that winter has some special advantages when hitting the trails. Forests and parks see less crowds in the colder months. You’re highly unlikely to encounter snakes and bugs, and the long-range views are a thing of beauty. Plus, there’s nothing like a little elevation gain to warm you up. 

Speaking of warming up, another unique way to stave away the chill is going on a hike with Nero Coffee Hikes. These guided hikes take adventurers to beautiful waterfalls near Brevard, and while at the waterfall, your guide will brew up a delicious cup of coffee. It’s a fun way to stay toasty while enjoying the outdoors this time of year.

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Ice Climbing

For a truly out-of-the-ordinary adventure, ice climbing is a thrilling outdoor experience that’s only available in the winter months in Transylvania County. If you’ve got the itch and want to see what it’s all about, give Pisgah Climbing School a call. They’ll help you out with information about favorable climbing weather, instruction, and equipment. Make sure to schedule that outing before the weather warms up!

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Stargazing & Winter Skies

Look up — do you see that? Winter skies are especially breathtaking in the mountains. The sky is clearer in winter, which makes it an optimal time for stargazing. Transylvania County is home to PARI (Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute) — one of only three designated Dark Sky Places in North Carolina — and a great place to look at the stars. PARI has scheduled public events and weekday self-guided tour opportunities. These one-of-a-kind events are available on specific dates, so be sure to check their calendar.

Registration is required. 

If you’re a lover of sunrises and sunsets, you’ll definitely want to visit our corner of the mountains in wintertime. The sun sits lower in the sky in winter, causing its light to travel through a thicker layer of atmosphere. This layer filters out shorter wavelengths like blue and enhances the longer wavelengths like red and orange, resulting in more vibrant colors with less haze due to the typically drier air in winter.

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Fly Fishing

Just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy some time on the water. In fact, winter is a great time to go fly fishing in Western North Carolina. Two great spots to focus on are the Delayed Harvest sections of the East Fork of the French Broad River and the Little River in DuPont State Recreational Forest. Both are catch-and-release only during the winter months. For some expert guidance on the rivers, consider a guided tour with Headwaters Outfitters or Davidson River Outfitters. They can show you how to reel in a good time!

Before hitting the water, be sure to familiarize yourself with fly fishing regulations.

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Winter Waterfall Hunting

Waterfalls in Transylvania County take on a gorgeous transformation in the wintertime. Icicles drip from the rocks, and wintry precipitation gives our cascades a distinct shimmer. A few of our favorite falls to visit this time of year include Cove Creek Falls in Pisgah National Forest, Rainbow Falls in Gorges State Park, and Upper Whitewater Falls in Nantahala National Forest. 

If you’d like a local guide to show you around and meet the locals (waterfalls, that is), Asheville Jeep ToursMiller’s Land of Waterfalls Tour, and Peak Excursions all offer waterfall tours in the winter. As an added bonus, Asheville Jeep Tours and Peak excursions have adventures in vehicles, so you can escape the winter chill. 

Remember while exploring to be waterfall wise. 

More Reasons to Stay and Play

Don’t miss out on all the uniquely wintertime adventures to be had in Brevard and Transylvania County. There are so many reasons to visit this time of year, including outdoor experiences, reduced room rates, incredible art, and great local shopping. We’ll see you soon!